THE VOTE ON PARTIAL-BIRTH ABORTION

THE VOTE ON PARTIAL-BIRTH ABORTION

The Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act passed 64-34 in the Senate on October 21, 2003. Voting “yes” in favor of the bill were 17 Democrats and 47 Republicans. Voting “no” against the bill were 30 Democrats, 3 Republicans and 1 Independent. Not voting were 1 Democrat and 1 Republican.

The Partial-Birth Abortion Ban passed 281-142 in the House of Representatives on October 2, 2003. Voting “yes” in favor of the bill were 63 Democrats and 218 Republicans. Voting “no” against the bill were 137 Democrats, 4 Republicans and 1 Independent. Not voting were 5 Democrats and 7 Republicans.

Here’s a sampling of what Democratic candidates for the presidency said in the wake of President Bush’s signing into law the bill that bans partial-birth abortion:

Former Vermont Governor Howard Dean: “There is no such thing as ‘partial-birth abortion’ in medical literature.”

Senator John Kerry: “There is no such thing as a partial birth.”

General Wesley Clark: “This bill is unconstitutional, and it sacrifices the health and safety of American women.”

Senator John Edwards: “With the stroke of a pen, President Bush just let every women in America know that his political ideology comes first, and her health comes last.”

Senator Joseph Lieberman: “Today, the President signs into law a bill that lets the political agenda of right-wing Republicans override the rights and health of American women.”
Here is what other leaders in the Democratic Party said:

Senator Barbara Boxer: It is “a very sad day for women in America.”

Senator Hillary Clinton: “This bill is not only ill-advised, it is unconstitutional.”

Rep. Louise Slaughter: The bill is “a dangerous precedent.”

Rep. Linda Sanchez: The ban is “dangerous, deceptive and unconstitutional.”

Rep. Barbara Lee: “Where’s the justice in women dying for no reason?”

Rep. Carolyn Maloney: “The bill has absolutely nothing to do with so-called late-term abortions or with banning one specific procedure.”

Rep. Zoe Lofgren: “They made up the name.”

Rep. Lois Capps: “This procedure is not even found in any medical literature.”

Rep. Jan Schakowsky: The ban is “harmful to women.”

Rep. Jerold Nadler: “You will not find the term ‘partial-birth abortion’ in a medical textbook.”

It should be pointed out that the term “throwing up” is not found in medical textbooks also, yet everyone knows what it is. Similarly, partial-birth abortion accurately conveys what doctors politely call dilation and extraction. Perhaps one of the above champions of women can explain what exactly it is that is being extracted. A tooth?

Names count and that is one reason why our side won this battle. No one knows how much names count more than Kate Michelman, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America: “They ran away with this debate in the public domain by constantly describing this procedure.” Michelman is onto something real—knowledge can be a very effective weapon, especially when used against pathological liars.